i have an 03 ls430 with about 285k on it. i noticed a leak near the oil filter. i changed my alternator about a week before the leak started. having issues of where it could be coming from.

 

Is the fluid engine oil: golden - brown, or hydraulic fluid red - reddish brown?

 

That's not a coolant leak. It's either oil or power steering fluid. Most likely power steering fluid which is dyed red (Dextron III). Coolant will leave a residue that is pink bordering on white.

 

It is red so I'm guessing power steering

 

Oh damn I see now . What is the silver pan above and a little to the left of the oil filter?

 

That's your oil pan. It looks like the leak is somewhere above it, though. More concerning is what looks like oil coming out of the weep hole on the bottom timing cover. This could mean a bad crankshaft seal or bad camshaft seals. Looks like you have 2 separate leaks.

 

^^^ This!

OP, why did you change out your alternator? Did it suddenly stop charging? Often times, the camshaft seal goes bad due to age and starts leaking oil onto the alternator, killing it.

It'd be best to shampoo or otherwise clean up the engine and then check for the root cause of the leak. Oil pools downwards, the leak could be right in the picture, or it could be well above it.

 

When the engine is COLD use three-four cans of brakekleen/parts cleaner and spray the entire engine bay area. So you can pin point were the leak is originating from